The pillars holding up the modern Christian music scene will eventually crumble. It’s simply bound to happen. But Third Day boldly declares this isn’t happening anytime soon on its latest release, Revelation.

Then again, you already knew that. The moment the album’s lead single, “Call My Name,” hit radio, it was the latest in a long line of brilliantly crafted sing-along pop tunes. The response toward Mac Powell & Co. was clear. Another trail to No. 1 was blazed, and the trend only continues through the rest of the album.

The production on Revelation showcases a seasoned band working with a new-yet-veteran producer in Howard Benson (Flyleaf, P.O.D.). And the results are perhaps the band’s best work to date. It’s an industry legend stretching its wings, a sure-handed group choosing to experiment just enough. In other words, it’s the perfect combination.

Background vocals from Chris Daughtry and Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf deliver equally compelling moments on “Slow Down” and “Born Again” respectively, the latter being one of the highlights on an album full of them. “I’ll Always Be True” evokes memories of the band’s self-titled debut, while “Run To You” delivers powerful lyrics of submission and our need for God.

The surefire ballads are here, and you might as well add “Let Me Love You” to the band’s list of chart-topping hits. Other AC numbers like “Give Love” and “Take It All” are equally moving at points, and Powell saves some of his best vocal work for these tunes.

Just as Good Monsters solidified the second leg of Jars of Clay’s career, this is bound to do the same for Third Day. Revelation is just that, a musical realization that Third Day isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. –Matt Conner

This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!